Tottenham have received major boost in their pursuit of AC Milan midfielder Franck Kessie as talks remain standstill over a new contract due to the player’s excessive demands
Franck Kessie reacts during the Serie A match between Sampdoria (Getty Images)
The highly-rated Ivorian midfielder who will become a free agent in the summer, should he fail to agree fresh terms with the Serie A giants is one of Tottenham January transfer targets, a move which later failed to materialize due to his participation in Africa Cup of Nations and AC Milan unwillingness to let him leave as the conquest for Scudetto still alive.
The 25-year-old has seen his profile skyrocket in recent seasons having established himself as a mainstay in a Milan side that has enjoyed a recent resurgence.
While the midfielder has won over plenty of admirers elsewhere, his own fans made their feelings over his excessive demands clear during Milan’s 1-0 San Siro win over Sampdoria on Sunday.
Getty Images)
Amid a chorus of boos directed towards Kessie, Milan’s ultras held up a banner which read:
‘Those who love Milan prove it with facts, best regards to those who are dissatisfied.’
Not only this, he was also booed when the teams were read out at San Siro ahead of the cup quarter-final clash, during the 4-0 win against Lazio last week in the Coppa Italia quarter-final, according to Calciomercato.
A second-place Serie A finish last season saw the Rossoneri return to Champions League football for the first time in seven years, and this campaign, they are hoping to go one better.
Milan are currently battling with Napoli and fierce city rivals Inter for this season’s Scudetto and currently top the league standings by a point, having played a game more than the latter.
However, it isn’t all good news for Stefano Pioli’s side as Kessie’s contract saga continues to rumble on.
The Ivorian midfielder admitted only last summer that he hopes to remain in Milan “forever”, however it appears his journey with the iconic Italian club is coming to an end.
According to Calciomercato, despite months of talks, the two parties remain unable to reach an agreement with Kessie’s demands proving to be a sticking point.
The Italian outlet claim Milan have tabled a renewal offer in the region of £5million a year, however the player’s entourage are pushing for a figure closer to £7.5m, which equates to around £150,000 per week.
AC Milan are not worried about Premier League rumours for Rafael Leão as contract extension is now getting closer, after Theo and Bennacer who will sign his new deal in the coming days. 🔴 #ACMilan
Kessié is still not accepting €6.5m net proposal and he’s expected to leave.
The news will come as a significant boost Tottenham, who have been heavily linked with the midfielder’s services, though the Premier League pair face competition from Manchester United and Barcelona.
With Tottenham running low of a midfielder that can create since Eriksen, Antonio Conte is believed to want to sign the attacking midfielder.
Kessie is a player Spurs chief Fabio Paratici ‘knows well’ from his time in Italy and according to Sport, the North Londoners recently made him a powerful offer which includes a significant wage package and transfer bonus.
What can Kessié addition bring to Spurs?
When Antonio Conte won the Premier League with Chelsea he had NGolo Kante, Cesc Fabregas and Nemanja Matic; all of them close to their prime.
At Spurs he has Pierre Emile Hojbjerg, Oliver Skipp, Harry Winks and Bentancur.
They’re all fine, but none of the four would have been close to playing at the base of the 2016/17 Chelsea midfield that the title tilt was built on.
Kessie is a player who can tick a variety of boxes. He is probably best known as a holding midfielder.
However, he has made a significant impact in the final third over the last 18 months and would be a perfect partner in crime for Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg